Tranmere crash out to Stoke in Carling Cup

Tranmere Rovers Max Power (left) and Stoke City's Jermaine Pennant during the Capital One Cup, Third round match at Prenton Park, Tranmere

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Premier League prowess met honest League One labour at Prenton Park last night – with predictable results.

Visitors Stoke, playing a much more expansive and attractive brand of football under new boss Mark Hughes, showed enough quality to secure a deserved victory and passage into the fourth round of the Capital One Cup.

After being second best by some distance during the first period, Rovers mounted a more determined second-half display which should give them some much-needed confidence going into this Saturday’s league match against Stoke’s neighbours Port Vale.

All that separated the sides was a goal of top-flight class from Stephen Ireland, who slipped a low shot past Owain Fon Williams after 23 minutes, and a late, late effort scored by Peter Crouch with the last kick of the game.

Ireland’s opener could have been the catalyst for a collapse, but instead Rovers showed plenty of defensive resolve and ended the tie pushing for an equaliser, until Crouch struck.

The first-half statistics showed that Stoke, fielding a side packed with internationals despite Hughes tinkering with the team beaten at Arsenal on Sunday, enjoyed 61% of the possession. It will have felt like far more to Tranmere’s players, who spent the first 45 minutes chasing the ball as the visitors delivered an impressive passing performance for the thousands of travelling fans in the Cowshed Stand.

Ireland and Marco Arnautovic were a constant menace, linking play between Stoke’s midfield and attack. When an Ireland shot was blocked and turned away for a corner on 17 minutes, Crouch almost opened the scoring with a header from Jermaine Pennant’s flag kick – but Fon Williams was in the right place to hold the former Liverpool striker’s header.

Having teased and tormented Rovers for much of the early stages, it came as little surprise when Arnautovic and Ireland crafted the Potters’ opening goal. Picking the ball up 30 yards out, Arnautovic slipped an inch-perfect pass behind the Tranmere defence for Ireland, who applied the finishing touch with a neat first-time effort that slid past Fon Williams and into the back of the net.

The goal demonstrated the kind of quality Stoke now have at their disposal – and was a world away from what Tranmere’s players face week in, week out in League One.

The hosts, with veteran defender Ian Goodison rested to the bench, struggled to impose themselves. Stoke keeper Thomas Sorenson was rarely tested as Rovers struggled to bridge the divide in class.

Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro looked to have been set free by Cole Stockton on 29 minutes, but Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross held his position well, forcing the Frenchman on to his weaker left foot. In the end, Apka Akpro’s shot was comfortably held by Sorenson.

Their lead was only a slender one, but Stoke’s players felt confident enough to showcase some tricks and flicks toward the end of the first half, drawing cheers of ‘ole!’ from the away supporters.

There was much more zip to Tranmere’s play in the opening exchanges of the first half. The youthful midfield trio of James Rowe, Max Power and Chris Atkinson began to see more of the ball and the tie finally began to feel like more of a contest.

A slick move started by Stockton saw Rowe play Akpa Akpro into space on the left wing. The striker cut inside on his right foot and flashed a shot narrowly over the bar.

Just after the hour mark, more good approach play by Rovers – this time from Akpa Akpro and Lowe – carved out a chance for Atkinson, who dragged his shot wide.

At the other end, Fon Williams had a much easier ride than his opposite number Sorenson. Sub Jon Walters twice went close to doubling Stoke’s lead in the closing stages but failed to hit the target from good positions.

Earlier, Lowe had a penalty appeal turned down when he tumbled over Marc Muniesa’s clumsy looking challenge – but referee David Coote drew jeers of derision from the home fans by refusing to point to the spot.

Three minutes into injury time, Crouch settled the match with the last kick of the game – controlling the ball on his chest before side-footing past Fon Williams.